Chapter 4

Back then, Patrice was a top-tier beast mate, looking drop-dead gorgeous, with a killer body.

But he had a bad temper and ended up getting into a fight with another beast mate.

The other beast mate started cursing him out. "With a temper like yours, you should've died in that accident!"

Patrice had been in an accident during his development, and his face was left disfigured.

The Beast Mate Center healed him up later. He left with no scars, and he looked even more handsome than before.

But that accident still haunted him.

Someone brought up his past trauma.

Patrice lost it, went berserk, and broke the other beast mate's leg.

The Beast Mate Center was about to have him euthanized.

He dropped to his knees in front of me, begging me.

"Please, save me. I haven't even found my benefactor yet. I don't want to die," Patrice pleaded.

He was overwhelmed by the fear of dying.

He cried so hard that his lips were turning white.

His fluffy wolf tail drooped to the floor, trembling.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for him, so I spoke up for him and bought him.

The staff at the Beast Mate Center tried to talk me out of it.

"Ms. Summers, beast mates who've shown violent behavior might have other issues. Are you sure you want to reconsider?" they warned.

But Patrice kept crying and begging me, "Please, save me. Once I've returned the favor, I'll be yours for life. I'll love you forever."

A promise of forever love? How could anyone say no?

I ignored their warnings and bought him.

I never regretted it, but he did.

*****

I took my phone to the repair shop to see if it could be fixed.

The gas explosion last time had destroyed most of the kitchen.

I had someone come in and renovate it.

Looking at Patrice's pitch-black bedroom, I paused and decided to paint the walls a sunny yellow.

Grace said Kael was easygoing and positive, and yellow was his favorite color.

Kael would be arriving in a few days.

I wanted to create a comfortable space for him before he moved in.

Patrice loved black. His bedroom was so dark that it felt like staring into a bottomless pit.

Now that we'd ended the bond, there was no reason to keep his room as it was.

But I never expected that as I finished painting the bedroom, Patrice would walk in with Sophie.

He glanced at the spotless, freshly done room and immediately frowned.

"Doesn't matter how much you clean up. An old house never feels right," he said. "If you want to bond with me, buy me a new place."

I pressed my lips together, but before I could get a word out, Sophie jumped in, mocking me.

"Emma, don't tell me you can't even afford a new house?

"Blame Mom and Dad for spoiling me rotten. They already got me an apartment downtown, and in a few days, they're buying me a villa by the beach.

"I told them I didn't need it, and since you're broke, they should buy it for you instead.

"But Mom and Dad said you're such a hopeless case, buying you a house would be a waste."

As she said that, she suddenly covered her mouth, like she realized she'd let something slip.

"Oops, Emma, I wasn't trying to show off. You're not mad, right?" she said, acting all innocent.

Patrice shot me a look, his tone dripping with disdain. "She can't even afford a new house. Who is she to be mad at you?

"Emma, I'm telling you for the last time. If you can't buy me a new house, I'm not bonding with you."

If this had been before, I would've been in tears, begging him not to leave.

But this time, I took a deep breath.

I handed him the bond termination papers.

I said, "We don't need to bond anymore. I've already got a new beast mate."

I figured he'd be over the moon to finally get rid of me.

But his face instantly drained of all color.

He stared at me, his eyes suddenly red at the corners.